Chicagoland Soccer Top 25
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Soccer has a recognizable shape for such a fast, unpredictable game that turns on random and sudden actions.
After three weeks, the season has achieved greater clarity and meaning. Morton, New Trier, Lyons and Naperville North stay in the top five.
St. Charles East falls down a bit following its stunning upset loss to Lake Park. That game illustrates the fluid and chaotic nature of the game.
The biggest risers are Rolling Meadows, West Chicago and Oak Park and River Forest.
Rolling Meadows is perfect though seven games; Oak Park and River Forest ended York’s perfect start with a 1-0 conference victory, then suffered their first loss against West Chicago on Sunday.
The Wildcats are the defending Class 3A state champion. They edged the Huskies 2-1 in bracket play at the PepsiCo Showdown on Sunday.
The other significant part of how the season works is that the next month gathers a huge downhill momentum. From now to the first week of October, the games take on heightened meaning.
Many teams are about to launch their conference schedule, if they have not already.
The intertwining of conference with the tournaments and shootouts translates to nonstop activity. That is the way it should be.
Games through Sunday
By Patrick Z. McGavin
Soccer has a recognizable shape for such a fast, unpredictable game that turns on random and sudden actions.
After three weeks, the season has achieved greater clarity and meaning. Morton, New Trier, Lyons and Naperville North stay in the top five.
St. Charles East falls down a bit following its stunning upset loss to Lake Park. That game illustrates the fluid and chaotic nature of the game.
The biggest risers are Rolling Meadows, West Chicago and Oak Park and River Forest.
Rolling Meadows is perfect though seven games; Oak Park and River Forest ended York’s perfect start with a 1-0 conference victory, then suffered their first loss against West Chicago on Sunday.
The Wildcats are the defending Class 3A state champion. They edged the Huskies 2-1 in bracket play at the PepsiCo Showdown on Sunday.
The other significant part of how the season works is that the next month gathers a huge downhill momentum. From now to the first week of October, the games take on heightened meaning.
Many teams are about to launch their conference schedule, if they have not already.
The intertwining of conference with the tournaments and shootouts translates to nonstop activity. That is the way it should be.
Games through Sunday
| Rk | LW | Team | W | L | T | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Morton | 6 | 0 | 1 | Edgar Quintero is a standout sophomore |
| 2 | 3 | New Trier | 6 | 0 | 1 | Ronan O'Neill is potent offensive force |
| 3 | 4 | Lyons | 6 | 2 | 1 | Zach Steck is dangerous in space |
| 4 | 5 | Naperville N | 6 | 1 | 2 | Bryan Higgs scores game-winner vs. Marmion |
| 5 | 18 | Rolling Meadows | 7 | 0 | 0 | Joe Salemi is creative talent with the ball |
| 6 | 2 | St. Charles East | 6 | 1 | 0 | Tyler Benhart is a dynamic young keeper |
| 7 | 6 | Loyola | 6 | 1 | 0 | Oliver Szorc is off to an impressive start |
| 8 | 8 | Lockport | 6 | 0 | 0 | Porters survive Bloom to stay perfect |
| 9 | NR | W Chicago | 7 | 1 | 0 | Wildcats end OPRF win streak |
| 10 | HM | OPRF | 7 | 1 | 0 | Easton Bogard is an elite sophomore |
| 11 | 7 | York | 7 | 1 | 0 | Kacper Janowski has invigorated middle |
| 12 | 10 | Libertyville | 5 | 2 | 1 | Andrew Phillips part of imposing junior class |
| 13 | 16 | Stevenson | 7 | 0 | 2 | Key date with Mundelein on Tuesday |
| 14 | 13 | Fremd | 3 | 1 | 1 | Beck Smolak is a shutdown defender |
| 15 | 14 | Evanston | 6 | 0 | 1 | Wildkits post 3-straight shutouts |
| 16 | 19 | Warren | 7 | 1 | 0 | Braden Lechner huge against Wauconda |
| 17 | HM | Oswego E | 7 | 0 | 0 | Carter Boberg leads a high-powered attack |
| 18 | NR | Minooka | 6 | 2 | 1 | Naperville C win highlights big week |
| 19 | 15 | Naperville C | 7 | 4 | 0 | Patrick Bohan is a set piece specialist |
| 20 | NR | Plainfield N | 7 | 2 | 0 | Ryan Bechtel a versatile offensive threat |
| 21 | 20 | Addison Trail | 6 | 1 | 0 | Midfielder Alex Sandoval keys the attack |
| 22 | 17 | Lake Zurich | 4 | 1 | 3 | Showdown with Warren on Tuesday |
| 23 | 21 | Barrington | 5 | 1 | 0 | David Gomez ignites offense |
| 24 | 12 | W Aurora | 5 | 3 | 0 | Blackhawks end slide against Geneva |
| 25 | NR | E Aurora | 4 | 1 | 2 | Strong showing vs. Naperville N |
Look out for: Benet, Crystal Lake South, Joliet West, Notre Dame, Metea Valley, St. Charles North, Plainfield East, Lincoln-Way Central, St. Laurence, Niles North, Prairie Ridge, Mount Carmel, Washington, Solorio, Marist.
Proudly powered by Weebly